The final Spanish short story has many of the elements of a fairy tale. The story begins by telling the reader that these events took place many years ago in a far away land. Daniel Lyons gives us a world of magical words and mirrors, a captive princess, an evil witch, and a prince whose timing is perfect.
Daniel Lyons, Grade 9
Siempre Felices
Hace muchos años había una princesa bonita que vivía en una tierra lejana. Vivía en un castillo enorme con sus padres, el rey y la reina. Tambien había una bruja en el reino quien le ha puesto un hechizo en la princesa. La reina era la bruja.
La princesa tenía que vivir en un cuarto pequeño encima del castillo. La reina guardaba a la princesa contra su voluntad. Los criados le entregaban la comida todos los días. Ella no podrá salir hasta que un príncipe guapo la besará. Según el hechicero, la princesa y el príncipe tendrían que besar antes del toque de la medianoche en el tercer día del año.
Como siempre, la princesa barría el piso. Ella estaba cansada de trabajar mientras la reina vivía la vida lujosa. La princesa se llevaba harapos todos los días y estaba perdiendo la esperanza. La princesa quería escaparse pero no podía.
Cada día la reina miraba su espejo mágico. El espejo le decía, “Usted, mi reina, eres la más bonita de todas.” También el espejo le daba noticias de visitantes. Aquel día, el espejo le dijo que se acercaba un príncipe guapo. La reina mandó a las guardias que no den paso al príncipe.
Por la tarde, vino un príncipe guapo al castillo. Él llamó en el puerta grande y un guardia abrió a la puerta.
“Estoy aquí para librar a la princesa,” dijo el príncipe.
“No puede entrar y no puede verla,” repuso la guardia. “Para verla, debes hablar con el brujo sapo. Vive en el pantano.”
El príncipe hizo como le dijo la guardia. El brujo sapo estuvo feliz al conocer al príncipe y le explicó, “Tú necesitas decir ‘abracadabra’ en la entrada del castillo. La puerta mágica se abrirá y podrás encontrar a la princesa.”
Unos momentos antes de la medianoche el príncipe se apresuró a la entrada del castillo y él dijo “abracadabra” y la puerta abrió. Él entró en la oscuridad y buscaba la princesa en todas partes.
Finalmente halló un ropero. Unos sonidos extraños vinieron del ropero. Ló abrió y descubrió la princesa bonita. Se quedaron pocos minutos antes de la medianoche. Él le dijo todo lo que había pasado.
El príncipe le dijo, “Vas a ser mi reina.”
“Sí, mi amor,” repuso ella. “Gracias a Dios. Viviremos libres.”
Ellos se besaron exactamente en el momento en que tocó el reloj la medianoche. La bruja murió de repente y la gente del reino estaba feliz. Todos vivirían felices y en paz para siempre.
English
Forever Happy
Many years ago there was a beautiful princess who lived in a far away land. She lived in a huge castle with her parents, the king and the queen. There was also a witch in the kingdom who had put a spell on the princess. The queen was the witch.
The princess had to live in a small room on top of the castle. The queen kept the princess there against her will. The maids delivered food to her every day. She couldn't leave until a handsome prince kissed her. Acccording to the spell, the princess and the prince would have to kiss before the strike of midnight on the third day of the year.
As always, the princess was sweeping the floor. She was tired of working while the queen lived the life of luxury. She wore rags everyday and was losing hope. She wanted to escape, but couldn't.
Each day the queen looked in her magic mirror. The mirror used to tell her, "You, my queen, are the most beautiful of all." The mirror also gave news about visitors. That day the mirror told her that a handsome prince was approaching. The queen ordered the guards not to allow the prince to pass.
In the afternoon a handsome prince came to the castle. He knocked on the big door and a guard opened the door.
"I'm here to free the princess," said the prince.
"You can't enter and you can't see her," replied the guard. "You see her, you should speak with the toad wizard. He lives in the swamp."
The prince did as the guard told him. The toad wizard was happy to meet the prince and explained to him, "You need to say 'abracadabra' at the entrance to the castle and the magic door will open and you will be able to find the princess."
A few moments before midnight the prince was rushing to the castle entrance and he said "abracadabra" and the door opened. He entered the darkness and was looking everywhere for the princess.
Finally, he found a wardrobe. Strange sounds were coming from the wardrobe. He opened it and found the beautiful princess. Only a few second remained before midnight. He explained everything to her.
He told her, "You are going to be my queen."
"Yes, my love," she replied. "Thank God! We'll live free."
The two kissed exactly as the clock struck midnight. The witch suddenly died and the people of the kingdom were happy. Everyone would live happily and in peace for ever.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
The Clown and the Bee
The fifth Spanish story was written by Benjamin Guzicki. It tells of a spectacular circus performance by a clown and an aggressive bee.
Benjamin Guzicki, Grade 9
El Payaso y La Abeja
El circo había llegado al pueblo. En una tienda un payaso se preparaba por the acontecimiento grande. El payaso era muy alto, con pantalones que hacen bolsas. Tenía la nariz roja y grande y el pelo verde. En su cara llevaba el maquillaje blanco.
Habia una multitud grande y todos estaban felices. Al payaso le gusta mucho entretener a la multitud, pero estaba nervioso porque tenía problemas. Aquel día nada pasaba bien.
El payaso entró la tienda grade para luchar con unos leones feroces. El abrió la puerta y oyó los chillidos de la gente. En ese momento una abeja voló hacia el payaso y se introdujo en sus pantalones flojos. La abeja le picó en el pompi y el payaso sorprendido chilló. La gente creyó que era parte del programa y todos se reían.
El payaso gritaba, “¡Ayúdame! ¡Ayúdame!” Pero la multitud no pudo oír. Todos estaban riéndose. La gente pasaba un tiempo divertido, pero al payaso no le gustó estar picado. El corría, saltando y gritando, “Me duele el pompi. ¡Me duele mucho!”
Un hombre vino a ayudarle, pero él tenía miedo de los leones. El payaso se escapó por la jaula de los leones y estaba aliviado que su parte en el programa había terminado. Pero el pompi se dolería por un largo rato a causa de estar hinchado.
A la gente le gustó mucho el espectáculo. Era muy fascinante, especialmente el payaso cómico. Todos salieron contentos de la tienda grande.
English
The Clown and the Bee
The circus had arrived in town. In a tent a clown was preparing himself for the big event. The clown was very tall, with baggy pants. He had a big red nose and green hair. On his face he wore white makeup.
There was a big crowd and everyone was happy. The clown liked to entertain the crowd, but he was nervous because he was having problems. That day nothing was going well.
The clown entered the big tent to wrestle with some fierce lions. He opened the door and heard the screams of the people. At that moment, a bee flew toward the clown and went into his loose pants. The bee stung him on the backside and the surprised clown screamed. The people thought it was part of the program and everyone was laughing.
The clown shouted, "Help me! Help me!" But the crowd couldn't hear. Everyone was laughing. The people were having a fun time, but the clown didn't like to be stung. He ran, jumping and shouting, "My backside hurts. It hurts me a lot!"
A man came to help him, but he was afraid of the lions. The clown escaped through the lion cage and he was relieved that his part of the show had ended. But his backside would ache for a long while because it was swollen.
The people really liked the show. It was fascinating, especially the comical clown. Everyone left the big tent happy.
Benjamin Guzicki, Grade 9
El Payaso y La Abeja
El circo había llegado al pueblo. En una tienda un payaso se preparaba por the acontecimiento grande. El payaso era muy alto, con pantalones que hacen bolsas. Tenía la nariz roja y grande y el pelo verde. En su cara llevaba el maquillaje blanco.
Habia una multitud grande y todos estaban felices. Al payaso le gusta mucho entretener a la multitud, pero estaba nervioso porque tenía problemas. Aquel día nada pasaba bien.
El payaso entró la tienda grade para luchar con unos leones feroces. El abrió la puerta y oyó los chillidos de la gente. En ese momento una abeja voló hacia el payaso y se introdujo en sus pantalones flojos. La abeja le picó en el pompi y el payaso sorprendido chilló. La gente creyó que era parte del programa y todos se reían.
El payaso gritaba, “¡Ayúdame! ¡Ayúdame!” Pero la multitud no pudo oír. Todos estaban riéndose. La gente pasaba un tiempo divertido, pero al payaso no le gustó estar picado. El corría, saltando y gritando, “Me duele el pompi. ¡Me duele mucho!”
Un hombre vino a ayudarle, pero él tenía miedo de los leones. El payaso se escapó por la jaula de los leones y estaba aliviado que su parte en el programa había terminado. Pero el pompi se dolería por un largo rato a causa de estar hinchado.
A la gente le gustó mucho el espectáculo. Era muy fascinante, especialmente el payaso cómico. Todos salieron contentos de la tienda grande.
English
The Clown and the Bee
The circus had arrived in town. In a tent a clown was preparing himself for the big event. The clown was very tall, with baggy pants. He had a big red nose and green hair. On his face he wore white makeup.
There was a big crowd and everyone was happy. The clown liked to entertain the crowd, but he was nervous because he was having problems. That day nothing was going well.
The clown entered the big tent to wrestle with some fierce lions. He opened the door and heard the screams of the people. At that moment, a bee flew toward the clown and went into his loose pants. The bee stung him on the backside and the surprised clown screamed. The people thought it was part of the program and everyone was laughing.
The clown shouted, "Help me! Help me!" But the crowd couldn't hear. Everyone was laughing. The people were having a fun time, but the clown didn't like to be stung. He ran, jumping and shouting, "My backside hurts. It hurts me a lot!"
A man came to help him, but he was afraid of the lions. The clown escaped through the lion cage and he was relieved that his part of the show had ended. But his backside would ache for a long while because it was swollen.
The people really liked the show. It was fascinating, especially the comical clown. Everyone left the big tent happy.
Friday, April 27, 2007
A Change of Fortune
The fourth Spanish story was written by Taylor Goodlett. It has echoes of the Cinderella story, but Taylor has given the plot some interesting twists and a satisfying ending.
Taylor Goodlett , Grade 9
Un Cambio de Fortuna
Había una princesa hermosa que tenía el pelo rizado y largo. Sus ojos grandes eran de color azul. Ella vivía en un castillo gigantesco con su familia real. Se llamaba María y estaba mimada. Ella creía gue tenía todo: una gran familia, un castillo enorme y la rigueza, pero todo estuvo para cambiar en su vida.
Su padre, el rey, estuvo en otra parte del reino. Hacía un viaje de negocios y decidió a regresar tarde por la noche. Aquella noche había una tormenta tremenda. No se puede ver dos pies en adelante. Durante su regreso, un camión chocó en el coche lujoso del rey y el rey se murió instantáneamente.
Cuándo Maria recibió las noticias acerca la muerte de su padre, ella estaba muy triste y lloraba mucho. Su madre se había muerto del cáncer cuando ella tuvo tres años. Era su padre quien la criaba con amor y ahora él la había abandonado también. Ahora Maria tenía que vivir con su madrastra cruel y las dos hijas tacañas de su madrasta.
Su madrastra pareció feliz acerca la muerte del rey. Ella sonreía constantemente. Ella nunca lloró, ni una vez, durante el funeral del rey. Maria supo que su madrastra deseaba heredar todo y coger el poder.
Después del funeral, ellos volvieron al castillo. Cuando llegaron, la reina empezó a gritar a Maria, diciéndole: "Maria, lave los pisos con este cepillo de dientes."
"No soy tu servienta," repuso Maria, pero las tres mujeres la molestaban tanto que ella comenzó a perder la esperanza.
Maria estuvo enojada un día cuando, al limpiar el pasillo, su madrastra dejó lodo en el piso y le mandó limpiar el piso sucio por seguna vez. La princesa gritó, "No! No voy a trabajar como tu esclava nunca más.” Entonces ella salió del castillo y nunca regresó.
Maria huyó a la ciudad donde encontró a un hombre alto, moreno y guapo. Ellos charlaron un rato y ella se enamoró. El la reconoció. Supo que ella era la princesa y la amaba. Luego ellos se casaron.
Después de que la boda, ellos descubieron que la princesa habia heredado todo el reino de su padre. La reina tuvo que salir, pero Maria tenía piedad en ella. La dejó quedarse en el país si ella trabajaría en el castillo, limpiando y arreglando todo. Pasó que los tres vivían contentos en el castillo superlimpio.
English
A Change of Fortune
There was a beautiful princess with long curly hair. Her large eyes were blue. She lived in a gigantic castle with her royal family. Her name was Maria and she was spoiled. She thought that she had everything: a great family, a huge castle and wealth, but everything was about to change in her life.
Her father, the king, was in a differnt part of the kingdom. He was on a business trip and decided to come back late at night. That night there was a tremendous storm. You couldn't see two feet ahead. During his return, a truck crashed into the king's luxurious car and the king died instantly.
When Maria received the news about the death of her father, she was sad and cried a lot. Her mother had died of cancer when she was three years old. It was her father who had raised her with love and now he had abandoned her also. Now Maria had to live with her cruel stepmother and her stepmother's two greedy daughters.
Her stepmother seemed happy about the death of her father. She smiled constantly. She never cried, not even once, during the kings' funeral. Maria knew that her stepmother wanted to inherit everything and seize power.
After the funeral they returned to the castle. When they arrived, the queen started to shout at Maria, saying to her, "Maria, wash the floors with this toothbrush."
"I'm not your servant," replied Maria, but the three women bothered her so that she began to lose hope.
Maria was angry one day when, upon cleaning the hall, her stepmother left mud on the floor and ordered her to clean the floor a second time. Maria shouted, "No! I'm not going to work as your slave ever again." Then she left the castle and never returned.
Maria fled to the city where she met a tall, dark and handsome man. They chatted a while and she fell in love. He recognized her. He knew that she was the princess and he loved her. Later they married.
After the wedding, they discovered that the princess had inherited all of her father's kindgom. The queen had to leave, but Maria had pity on her. She allowed her to stay in the country if she would work in the castle, cleaning and tidying everything. It happened that the three lived happily in the super-clean castle.
Taylor Goodlett , Grade 9
Un Cambio de Fortuna
Había una princesa hermosa que tenía el pelo rizado y largo. Sus ojos grandes eran de color azul. Ella vivía en un castillo gigantesco con su familia real. Se llamaba María y estaba mimada. Ella creía gue tenía todo: una gran familia, un castillo enorme y la rigueza, pero todo estuvo para cambiar en su vida.
Su padre, el rey, estuvo en otra parte del reino. Hacía un viaje de negocios y decidió a regresar tarde por la noche. Aquella noche había una tormenta tremenda. No se puede ver dos pies en adelante. Durante su regreso, un camión chocó en el coche lujoso del rey y el rey se murió instantáneamente.
Cuándo Maria recibió las noticias acerca la muerte de su padre, ella estaba muy triste y lloraba mucho. Su madre se había muerto del cáncer cuando ella tuvo tres años. Era su padre quien la criaba con amor y ahora él la había abandonado también. Ahora Maria tenía que vivir con su madrastra cruel y las dos hijas tacañas de su madrasta.
Su madrastra pareció feliz acerca la muerte del rey. Ella sonreía constantemente. Ella nunca lloró, ni una vez, durante el funeral del rey. Maria supo que su madrastra deseaba heredar todo y coger el poder.
Después del funeral, ellos volvieron al castillo. Cuando llegaron, la reina empezó a gritar a Maria, diciéndole: "Maria, lave los pisos con este cepillo de dientes."
"No soy tu servienta," repuso Maria, pero las tres mujeres la molestaban tanto que ella comenzó a perder la esperanza.
Maria estuvo enojada un día cuando, al limpiar el pasillo, su madrastra dejó lodo en el piso y le mandó limpiar el piso sucio por seguna vez. La princesa gritó, "No! No voy a trabajar como tu esclava nunca más.” Entonces ella salió del castillo y nunca regresó.
Maria huyó a la ciudad donde encontró a un hombre alto, moreno y guapo. Ellos charlaron un rato y ella se enamoró. El la reconoció. Supo que ella era la princesa y la amaba. Luego ellos se casaron.
Después de que la boda, ellos descubieron que la princesa habia heredado todo el reino de su padre. La reina tuvo que salir, pero Maria tenía piedad en ella. La dejó quedarse en el país si ella trabajaría en el castillo, limpiando y arreglando todo. Pasó que los tres vivían contentos en el castillo superlimpio.
English
A Change of Fortune
There was a beautiful princess with long curly hair. Her large eyes were blue. She lived in a gigantic castle with her royal family. Her name was Maria and she was spoiled. She thought that she had everything: a great family, a huge castle and wealth, but everything was about to change in her life.
Her father, the king, was in a differnt part of the kingdom. He was on a business trip and decided to come back late at night. That night there was a tremendous storm. You couldn't see two feet ahead. During his return, a truck crashed into the king's luxurious car and the king died instantly.
When Maria received the news about the death of her father, she was sad and cried a lot. Her mother had died of cancer when she was three years old. It was her father who had raised her with love and now he had abandoned her also. Now Maria had to live with her cruel stepmother and her stepmother's two greedy daughters.
Her stepmother seemed happy about the death of her father. She smiled constantly. She never cried, not even once, during the kings' funeral. Maria knew that her stepmother wanted to inherit everything and seize power.
After the funeral they returned to the castle. When they arrived, the queen started to shout at Maria, saying to her, "Maria, wash the floors with this toothbrush."
"I'm not your servant," replied Maria, but the three women bothered her so that she began to lose hope.
Maria was angry one day when, upon cleaning the hall, her stepmother left mud on the floor and ordered her to clean the floor a second time. Maria shouted, "No! I'm not going to work as your slave ever again." Then she left the castle and never returned.
Maria fled to the city where she met a tall, dark and handsome man. They chatted a while and she fell in love. He recognized her. He knew that she was the princess and he loved her. Later they married.
After the wedding, they discovered that the princess had inherited all of her father's kindgom. The queen had to leave, but Maria had pity on her. She allowed her to stay in the country if she would work in the castle, cleaning and tidying everything. It happened that the three lived happily in the super-clean castle.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
The Conductor's Obsession
The third Spanish short story was written by Kelsie Doss. This story is about a veteran train conductor who, due to a recent train wreck, has an emotional obstacle to overcome.
Kelsie Doss, Grade 9
La Obsesión del Conductor
En la estación del tren, muchos pasajeros están en el andén, esperando la llegada del tren. Cuando el tren llegó, ellos abordaron.
El conductor, Señor Garcia, estuvo listo a comenzar el viaje. El estaba un poco nervioso porque había sido un choque hace dos meses y todavía recordaba lo que pasó cuando el tren chocó.
Su último viaje tuvo lugar en la noche del accidente. La noche estaba muy oscura y lluviosa. Los rieles estuvieron mojados. Señor Garcia miraba la tierra mojada. De repente, habia un ruido espantoso y el tren estremeció. Cuando el tren acercó la curva, comenzó a volcar. Todos los coches saltaron los rieles y cayeron como los dominos. El sonido del accidente le hizo sordo al conductor. Los pasajeros estuvieron asustados y algunos estuvieron malheridos. Afortunadamente, nadie murió. Era un milagro.
Pasaron muchos días en limpiar el lio y el conductor todavía estaba nervioso a causa de la experiencia.
Mientras el tren salió lentamente de la estación, el conductor veía que estaba nublado y venía lluvia. Pero Señor Garcia no era cobarde! El decidió que lo que pasó aquella noche oscura pertence a su pasado. No va a permitir que los recuerdos del accidente le obsesionaron.
English
The Conductor's Obsession
At the train station many passengers were on the platform awaiting the train's arrival. When the train arrived, they boarded.
The conductor, Mr. Garcia, was ready to begin the trip. He was a little nervious because there had been a crash two months before and he still remembered what happened when the train crashed.
His last trip took place on the night of the accident. The night was very dark and rainy. The tracks were wet. Mr. Garcia was looking at the wet earth. Suddenly, there was a frightening noise and the train shook. When the train approached the curve, it began to overturn. All the cars jumped the rails and fell like dominos. The sound of the accident made the conductor deaf. The passengers were frightened and some were badly injured. Fortunately, no one died. It was a miracle.
It took many days to clean up the mess and the conductor was still nervious because of the experience.
As the train slowly left the station, the conductor saw that it was cloudy and rain was coming, but Mr. Garcia was no coward! He decided that what happened that dark night belongs to his past. He wasn't going to permit memories of the accident to obsess him.
Kelsie Doss, Grade 9
La Obsesión del Conductor
En la estación del tren, muchos pasajeros están en el andén, esperando la llegada del tren. Cuando el tren llegó, ellos abordaron.
El conductor, Señor Garcia, estuvo listo a comenzar el viaje. El estaba un poco nervioso porque había sido un choque hace dos meses y todavía recordaba lo que pasó cuando el tren chocó.
Su último viaje tuvo lugar en la noche del accidente. La noche estaba muy oscura y lluviosa. Los rieles estuvieron mojados. Señor Garcia miraba la tierra mojada. De repente, habia un ruido espantoso y el tren estremeció. Cuando el tren acercó la curva, comenzó a volcar. Todos los coches saltaron los rieles y cayeron como los dominos. El sonido del accidente le hizo sordo al conductor. Los pasajeros estuvieron asustados y algunos estuvieron malheridos. Afortunadamente, nadie murió. Era un milagro.
Pasaron muchos días en limpiar el lio y el conductor todavía estaba nervioso a causa de la experiencia.
Mientras el tren salió lentamente de la estación, el conductor veía que estaba nublado y venía lluvia. Pero Señor Garcia no era cobarde! El decidió que lo que pasó aquella noche oscura pertence a su pasado. No va a permitir que los recuerdos del accidente le obsesionaron.
English
The Conductor's Obsession
At the train station many passengers were on the platform awaiting the train's arrival. When the train arrived, they boarded.
The conductor, Mr. Garcia, was ready to begin the trip. He was a little nervious because there had been a crash two months before and he still remembered what happened when the train crashed.
His last trip took place on the night of the accident. The night was very dark and rainy. The tracks were wet. Mr. Garcia was looking at the wet earth. Suddenly, there was a frightening noise and the train shook. When the train approached the curve, it began to overturn. All the cars jumped the rails and fell like dominos. The sound of the accident made the conductor deaf. The passengers were frightened and some were badly injured. Fortunately, no one died. It was a miracle.
It took many days to clean up the mess and the conductor was still nervious because of the experience.
As the train slowly left the station, the conductor saw that it was cloudy and rain was coming, but Mr. Garcia was no coward! He decided that what happened that dark night belongs to his past. He wasn't going to permit memories of the accident to obsess him.
Monday, April 23, 2007
The Watchful Store Clerk
The second Spanish story, written by Brittany Cole, tells how a vigilant store clerk spoiled a shoplifting attempt and earned a reward.
Brittany Cole, grade 9
La Dependiente Vigilante
Había sido un invierno muy frío. La gente venía y iba de tienda a tienda buscando la ropa del invierno. Todas se llevaron mucha ropa que les protegen del frío intenso.
Un dia por la tarde, una muchacha entró la tienda de ropa. Se llevaba los jeans sucios y una camiseta blanca. También tuvo una bolsa grande.
La dependiente pagaba atención a la chica porque ella no parecía como la mayoría de sus clientes. No tuvo abrigo ni bufanda como los demás.
La dependiente se acercó y dijo: “¿Puedo ayudarte, señorita?”
“No, justo quiero mirar,” repuso la chica.
La dependiente volvió a su tarea. Tuvo que colgar unas blusas nuevas. Mientras colgaba la ropa, mantuvo en visto la muchacha. La dependiente creyó que ella actuaba extrañamente.
La muchacha quizo probarse unas artículos de ropa: una chaqueta de cuero, un par de guantes y una bufanda. La dependiente abrió la puerta del camerino y la muchacha entró.
La dependiente preguntó al gerente, “¿Crees que ella va a comprar o robar las prendas?”
El gerente repuso, “Quién sabe. Ponga atención. Me parece que ella tiene poco dinero.”
Pasaron cinco minutos. La chica salió del camerino pero no tuvo los guantes y la bufanda. Después de pagar por la chaqueta, ella se dirigió a la puerta.
La dependiente buscó los guantes y la bufanda en el camerino, pero no estuvieron allí. Entonces ella avanzó y interceptó a la chica enfrente de la puerta.
“Puedo ver tu bolsa?” pidió la dependiente amablemente.
“No. Es mi bolsa,” la chica repuso en voz alta.
En ese momento, vino el gerente con una guardia. La guardia pidió permiso abrir la bolsa y la chica, quien estaba asustada, no habló.
“Usted intentó a robar,” dijo el gerente. “Tienes que ir a la oficina con la guardia.”
La chica frunció los labios y siguió guardando silencio mientras andaba con la guardia a la oficina.
El gerente de la tienda dijo a la dependiente, “Gracias. Eres una dependiente heróica. Mereces una recompensa por su acción.”
La dependiente recibió cien dólares y un día libre. Ella decidió a gozar su día libre en la primavera, cuando ella podría tomar el sol.
English
The Watchful Store Clerk
It had been a very cold winter. People were coming and going from store to store, looking for winter clothing. Everyone was wearing a lot of clothes to protect them from the intense cold.
One afternoon, a girl entered the clothing store. She was wearing dirty jeans and a white tee-shirt. She also carried a large handbag.
The store clerk payed attention to the girl because she wasn't like the majority of her customers. She had neither a coat nor a scarf like the others.
The clerk approached and asked the girl, "Can I help you?"
"No, I just want to look," replied the girl.
The store clerk returned to her work. She had to hang up some new blouses. While she hung up the blouses she keep her eyes on the girl. The clerk believed that the girl was acting strangely.
The girl wanted to try on some articles of clothing: a leather jacket, a pair of gloves and a scarf. The clerk opened the door of the dressing room and the girl entered.
The clerk asked the manager, "Do you think that she is going to buy or steal the clothes?"
"Who knows," replied the manager. "Pay attention. It seems to me that she has little money."
Five minutes passed. The girl came out of the dressing room but she didn't have the gloves and the scarf. After paying for the jacket, she headed to the door.
The clerk searched for the gloves and the scarf in the dressing room but they weren't there. Then she advanced and intercepted the girl in front of the door.
"May I see your handbag," asked the clerk amiably.
"No. It's my handbag," replied the girl in a loud voice.
At that moment the manager arrived with a guard. The guard asked permission to open the handbag, and the girl, who was frightened, didn't speak.
"You tried to steal," said the manager. "You have to go to the office with the guard."
The girl puckered her lips and kept silent while she walked with the guard to the office.
The manager of the store said to the clerk, "Thank you. You are a heroic clerk. You deserve a reward for your action."
The clerk received $100. and a free day. She decided to enjoy her free day in the spring when she would be able to sunbathe.
Brittany Cole, grade 9
La Dependiente Vigilante
Había sido un invierno muy frío. La gente venía y iba de tienda a tienda buscando la ropa del invierno. Todas se llevaron mucha ropa que les protegen del frío intenso.
Un dia por la tarde, una muchacha entró la tienda de ropa. Se llevaba los jeans sucios y una camiseta blanca. También tuvo una bolsa grande.
La dependiente pagaba atención a la chica porque ella no parecía como la mayoría de sus clientes. No tuvo abrigo ni bufanda como los demás.
La dependiente se acercó y dijo: “¿Puedo ayudarte, señorita?”
“No, justo quiero mirar,” repuso la chica.
La dependiente volvió a su tarea. Tuvo que colgar unas blusas nuevas. Mientras colgaba la ropa, mantuvo en visto la muchacha. La dependiente creyó que ella actuaba extrañamente.
La muchacha quizo probarse unas artículos de ropa: una chaqueta de cuero, un par de guantes y una bufanda. La dependiente abrió la puerta del camerino y la muchacha entró.
La dependiente preguntó al gerente, “¿Crees que ella va a comprar o robar las prendas?”
El gerente repuso, “Quién sabe. Ponga atención. Me parece que ella tiene poco dinero.”
Pasaron cinco minutos. La chica salió del camerino pero no tuvo los guantes y la bufanda. Después de pagar por la chaqueta, ella se dirigió a la puerta.
La dependiente buscó los guantes y la bufanda en el camerino, pero no estuvieron allí. Entonces ella avanzó y interceptó a la chica enfrente de la puerta.
“Puedo ver tu bolsa?” pidió la dependiente amablemente.
“No. Es mi bolsa,” la chica repuso en voz alta.
En ese momento, vino el gerente con una guardia. La guardia pidió permiso abrir la bolsa y la chica, quien estaba asustada, no habló.
“Usted intentó a robar,” dijo el gerente. “Tienes que ir a la oficina con la guardia.”
La chica frunció los labios y siguió guardando silencio mientras andaba con la guardia a la oficina.
El gerente de la tienda dijo a la dependiente, “Gracias. Eres una dependiente heróica. Mereces una recompensa por su acción.”
La dependiente recibió cien dólares y un día libre. Ella decidió a gozar su día libre en la primavera, cuando ella podría tomar el sol.
English
The Watchful Store Clerk
It had been a very cold winter. People were coming and going from store to store, looking for winter clothing. Everyone was wearing a lot of clothes to protect them from the intense cold.
One afternoon, a girl entered the clothing store. She was wearing dirty jeans and a white tee-shirt. She also carried a large handbag.
The store clerk payed attention to the girl because she wasn't like the majority of her customers. She had neither a coat nor a scarf like the others.
The clerk approached and asked the girl, "Can I help you?"
"No, I just want to look," replied the girl.
The store clerk returned to her work. She had to hang up some new blouses. While she hung up the blouses she keep her eyes on the girl. The clerk believed that the girl was acting strangely.
The girl wanted to try on some articles of clothing: a leather jacket, a pair of gloves and a scarf. The clerk opened the door of the dressing room and the girl entered.
The clerk asked the manager, "Do you think that she is going to buy or steal the clothes?"
"Who knows," replied the manager. "Pay attention. It seems to me that she has little money."
Five minutes passed. The girl came out of the dressing room but she didn't have the gloves and the scarf. After paying for the jacket, she headed to the door.
The clerk searched for the gloves and the scarf in the dressing room but they weren't there. Then she advanced and intercepted the girl in front of the door.
"May I see your handbag," asked the clerk amiably.
"No. It's my handbag," replied the girl in a loud voice.
At that moment the manager arrived with a guard. The guard asked permission to open the handbag, and the girl, who was frightened, didn't speak.
"You tried to steal," said the manager. "You have to go to the office with the guard."
The girl puckered her lips and kept silent while she walked with the guard to the office.
The manager of the store said to the clerk, "Thank you. You are a heroic clerk. You deserve a reward for your action."
The clerk received $100. and a free day. She decided to enjoy her free day in the spring when she would be able to sunbathe.
Spanish Short Stories
At a central Kentucky high school, Spanish 2 students recently competed in a Spanish short story contest. From the 48 entries, a panel of 3 judges selected 19 finalists. From these 19 stories, the judges selected 6 winners. Stories were evaluated on the quality of the Spanish, the development of plot and character, and the story's ending.
The stories will be reproduced as the students wrote them, although there were some mistakes. Overall, these stories represent tremendous effort and a high skill level for Spanish 2 students.
The following students' stories won:
Seath Beasley
Brittany Cole
Kelsie Doss
Taylor Goodlett
Benjamin Guzicki
Daniel Lyons
For the next six days, each of their stories will be published at "Students Publish Here!" The Spanish will appear, followed by an English translation. Today we begin with Seth Beasley's story about a hunter's run-in with a bear.
Seth Beasley, Grade 9
Cazando y Cazado
Un dia un cazador fue al bosque. En el bosque el encontró un oso enorme que le asustó mucho al cazador. El cazador estaba sudando mientras corría del oso peligroso.
Entró una cueva, pero el oso intentaba a entrar también. El cazador disparó su rifle, pero faltó. Entonces el cazador echó una piedra que cayó a la tierra detrás del oso. El oso estuvo distraído por el ruido y se fue.
Cuando el oso se había ido, el cazador pensó en cazar otra vez.
Se dijo, “Espero que el ciervo vendrá.”
El cazador comenzó a cazar de nuevo. El quería la carne de venado para su familia. El esperaba mucho tiempo en su escondite, pero no vinieron los ciervos.
De repente, el cazador oyó un rugido detrás de él. El se dió cuento de que era el oso. El oso había regresado y todavía estaba enojado.
“Aye de mi!” chilló el cazador.
El subió un árbol, pero el oso le persiguió. Afortunadamente, el cazador pudo disparar su rifle y el oso murió, cayendo al suelo. El cazador bajó el árbol y comenzó a cortar el oso, aunque a él no le gustaba mucho la carne de oso. Pero aquel oso iba a ser rico, porque era un enemigo muerto, no vivo.
English
Hunting and Hunted
One day a hunter went to the woods. There he encountered an enormous bear that frightened him a lot. The hunter was sweating as he ran from the dangerous bear.
He entered a cave, but the bear attempted to enter also. The hunter fired his rifle but it missed. Then the hunter threw a stone that fell on the ground behind the bear. The bear was distracted by the noise and went away.
When the bear had gone away, the hunter thought again about hunting.
He said to himself, "I hope that the deer will come."
The hunter began to hunt again. He wanted the venison for his family. He waited a long time in his hideout, but the deer didn't come.
Suddenly the hunter heard a roar behind him. He realized that the bear had come back and was still angry.
"Oh my gosh!" screamed the hunter.
He climbed a tree but the bear pursued him. Fortunately, the hunter was able to fire his rifle and the bear died, falling to the ground. The hunter climbed down the tree and began to cut up the bear, although he didn't like bear meat very much. But that bear was going to be tasty because it was a dead enemy, not a live one.
The stories will be reproduced as the students wrote them, although there were some mistakes. Overall, these stories represent tremendous effort and a high skill level for Spanish 2 students.
The following students' stories won:
Seath Beasley
Brittany Cole
Kelsie Doss
Taylor Goodlett
Benjamin Guzicki
Daniel Lyons
For the next six days, each of their stories will be published at "Students Publish Here!" The Spanish will appear, followed by an English translation. Today we begin with Seth Beasley's story about a hunter's run-in with a bear.
Seth Beasley, Grade 9
Cazando y Cazado
Un dia un cazador fue al bosque. En el bosque el encontró un oso enorme que le asustó mucho al cazador. El cazador estaba sudando mientras corría del oso peligroso.
Entró una cueva, pero el oso intentaba a entrar también. El cazador disparó su rifle, pero faltó. Entonces el cazador echó una piedra que cayó a la tierra detrás del oso. El oso estuvo distraído por el ruido y se fue.
Cuando el oso se había ido, el cazador pensó en cazar otra vez.
Se dijo, “Espero que el ciervo vendrá.”
El cazador comenzó a cazar de nuevo. El quería la carne de venado para su familia. El esperaba mucho tiempo en su escondite, pero no vinieron los ciervos.
De repente, el cazador oyó un rugido detrás de él. El se dió cuento de que era el oso. El oso había regresado y todavía estaba enojado.
“Aye de mi!” chilló el cazador.
El subió un árbol, pero el oso le persiguió. Afortunadamente, el cazador pudo disparar su rifle y el oso murió, cayendo al suelo. El cazador bajó el árbol y comenzó a cortar el oso, aunque a él no le gustaba mucho la carne de oso. Pero aquel oso iba a ser rico, porque era un enemigo muerto, no vivo.
English
Hunting and Hunted
One day a hunter went to the woods. There he encountered an enormous bear that frightened him a lot. The hunter was sweating as he ran from the dangerous bear.
He entered a cave, but the bear attempted to enter also. The hunter fired his rifle but it missed. Then the hunter threw a stone that fell on the ground behind the bear. The bear was distracted by the noise and went away.
When the bear had gone away, the hunter thought again about hunting.
He said to himself, "I hope that the deer will come."
The hunter began to hunt again. He wanted the venison for his family. He waited a long time in his hideout, but the deer didn't come.
Suddenly the hunter heard a roar behind him. He realized that the bear had come back and was still angry.
"Oh my gosh!" screamed the hunter.
He climbed a tree but the bear pursued him. Fortunately, the hunter was able to fire his rifle and the bear died, falling to the ground. The hunter climbed down the tree and began to cut up the bear, although he didn't like bear meat very much. But that bear was going to be tasty because it was a dead enemy, not a live one.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Ode to Marian Anderson
Students are naturally idealistic and attracted to persons of greatness. Encourage them to research the lives of great athletes, musicians, statesmen, artists and scientists. You might provide them with brief sketches of the lives of heroes and heroines. Most will identify with someone they read about. That's the person to whom they should write an ode.
Here is an ode written by a British student who took my creative writing classes in 2004-2006. His family came originally from Ghana. Ransford Laryea's poem was first published in A Celebration of Young Poets (2005) and was judged one of the Top Ten poems written by students living in the Appalachian region.Ode to Marian Anderson
Ransford Laryea, Grade 11
She was a little lady with dreams scarred
by those who hated her black skin,
by signs that said "Whites Only"
by slow moving tears down black cheeks,
by memories of black men hand-cuffed in backseats,
by a trail of savage slavery.
But happiness was her destiny on the stage
and 75,000 hearts soared
as her voice rang out
with proud Lincoln unyielding behind her
and her people free, free at last
from the harvest of pain
they were enslaved to reap.
Friday, April 6, 2007
Fiction: A Germ That Spreads
Asking students to write short stories is like sending them to the dentist. They don't want to go. And can we blame them? Fiction writing takes tremenous effort even for veteran authors.
Novelist Fanny Hurst said, "Writing is a chore. It cracks your bones and eats you, and yet it dominates you. You hate it while you love it."
To write fiction well, students must read the great classics: Hawthorne, Faulkner, Poe, Dickens and Dostoevsky, etc. As they read, they should study how the authors develop their plots. They should also read contemporary fiction to become familiar with the rules of paragraphing and dialogue. Most importantly, students need to reflect on the germ that infects their minds so that the germ can spread. The germ may be an image, a personal issue, or a plot idea. All this takes time and teachers don't seem to have enough time to help students develop into good fiction writers. Here are some suggestions to streamline the assignment:
Require each student to write a short short, i.e., a story of no more than 6 typed pages.
Give them a list of interesting characters and let them select the one that intrigues them most. I've had success with this list: a clown, an orphan, a soldier, a wizard, a spy, a hermit, a fairy, a sea captain, a bank robber, a talking cat, and an athlete. You may want to require everyone to select a different character or you will end up with 10 stories about aspiring professional athletes!
Help them to define the character's predicament. The predicament will drive the plot. In a short short, everything that happens must contribute to a satisfying resolution of the character's predicament.
Tell them to begin their stories as close as possible to the climax. This usually means slashing the opening paragraphs of the first draft and jumping into the action quickly.
Ask them to write a surprise ending.
Send me 2 or 3 of your best stories (with confirmation of student permission) and I'll publish them here!
Novelist Fanny Hurst said, "Writing is a chore. It cracks your bones and eats you, and yet it dominates you. You hate it while you love it."
To write fiction well, students must read the great classics: Hawthorne, Faulkner, Poe, Dickens and Dostoevsky, etc. As they read, they should study how the authors develop their plots. They should also read contemporary fiction to become familiar with the rules of paragraphing and dialogue. Most importantly, students need to reflect on the germ that infects their minds so that the germ can spread. The germ may be an image, a personal issue, or a plot idea. All this takes time and teachers don't seem to have enough time to help students develop into good fiction writers. Here are some suggestions to streamline the assignment:
Require each student to write a short short, i.e., a story of no more than 6 typed pages.
Give them a list of interesting characters and let them select the one that intrigues them most. I've had success with this list: a clown, an orphan, a soldier, a wizard, a spy, a hermit, a fairy, a sea captain, a bank robber, a talking cat, and an athlete. You may want to require everyone to select a different character or you will end up with 10 stories about aspiring professional athletes!
Help them to define the character's predicament. The predicament will drive the plot. In a short short, everything that happens must contribute to a satisfying resolution of the character's predicament.
Tell them to begin their stories as close as possible to the climax. This usually means slashing the opening paragraphs of the first draft and jumping into the action quickly.
Ask them to write a surprise ending.
Send me 2 or 3 of your best stories (with confirmation of student permission) and I'll publish them here!
Monday, April 2, 2007
From News Report to Poem
"I can't do this! I don't get poetry, Ms. Linsley. Why can't I just write another news story?"
I heard frustration in his voice and saw anxiety in his body language.
"In Creative Writing class everyone is required to produce a well-crafted poem, and you CAN do this, Matthew. Let's see what you have."
Poor Matthew had nothing. The page was blank. I wondered how I could jump start the creative process for this talented writer who loved Journalism but hated poetry."What are you reading about these days? What research are you doing for Journalism?"
"I'm reading about homelessness. There's this whole street culture, you know?"
"Tell me about it," I said.
And Matthew began to explain about the national problem of homelessness, about homeless societies in neighborhoods, and about the hardships. There was an emotional connection here, an element essential to the writing of a good poem, so I asked him to write a poem about this. Here is what he eventually produced, one of the finest poems I ever read on the subject of homelessness.
Homeless in LA
Matthew Morgan (Grade 11)
The old man wore a white goatee
the length and width of the nation.
He was ill when they first identified him.
His body was found in Los Angeles.
It cost me five bucks and
I broke a rule that May
for a short time
to sit at his old place near the bus stop.
The incumbent gone,
I felt like a pioneer
at the corner of Sixth and Main.
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